Nets @ Suns Game Thread

[Ronin]

http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1727

Amare Stoudemire has averaged 28.6 points in his last five home games against New Jersey.
One bit of intrigue for this contest will be Robin Lopez starting for the first time against brother Brook, the Nets' leading scorer (18.9 points per game) and rebounder (9.5 per game).
New Jersey has been outscored by an average of 15.8 points during its current eight-game losing streak. Even with a win Wednesday, the Nets would reach the midway point of their season on pace to finish with the most losses in NBA history -- the record is held by the 1972-73 76ers, who went 9-73.

http://scores.espn.go.com/nba/preview?gameId=300120021

 

[Ronin]

"I just think it's a funk that teams go through," Suns [FONT=Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif]coach [/FONT][/FONT][FONT=Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif][FONT=Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif]Alvin [/FONT][FONT=Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif]Gentry[/FONT][/FONT] said of the recent skid. "Obviously that Atlanta game was a pretty big punch in the stomach. At the end of the day we're still six games over .500 and right in the race. Our goal is to make the playoffs and we're still right in the position we can do that."
The Suns also are in position where they could fall right out of that playoff race if they don't turn things around. They returned from the road sixth in the Western Conference, only two games ahead of 11th place New Orleans.

http://www.azcentral.com/sports/suns/articles/2010/01/19/20100119suns-nets-preview.html

 

[Chaplin]

Yes, 2 games ahead of 11th place, but only 3 games behind 2nd place. Not saying we'll make 2nd place, I'm just saying these doomsday scenarios are all too premature at this point.

 

[TucsonDevil]

Yes, 2 games ahead of 11th place, but only 3 games behind 2nd place. Not saying we'll make 2nd place, I'm just saying these doomsday scenarios are all too premature at this point.

I believe the more telling indicator of the strength of this team is not necessarily the position they have versus others in the standings, but the fact that they have dropped 15 games in their last 25. After a hot start, they have cooled considerably. Is that because they are coming back to where their true talent level - or is something wrong? I chose to believe it is the latter, therefore, it can be corrected or they will continue on the sub .500 downward spiral.

 

[Mainstreet]

Yes, 2 games ahead of 11th place, but only 3 games behind 2nd place. Not saying we'll make 2nd place, I'm just saying these doomsday scenarios are all too premature at this point.

I don't think it is premature when the Suns are playing poorly and are on the verge of being outside the top eight. If the Suns were playing at a high level, then there might be hope. The Suns just do not have the horses upfront. Nothing I have seen from the Suns lately indicate they are a playoff team... just a team that got off to a fast start. The Suns need a miracle at this point like Lopez playing like an NBA center Kerr thought he would become. IMO, the Suns should still be looking trade if an offer has some value.

 

[devilalum]

For the first time in many years I feel absolutely no excitement for this team.

 

[SactownSunsFan]

It's a team we can beat!

 

[Griffin]

I am afraid that if we don't beat the Nets, the team might get demoted to the D-League.

 

[boisesuns]

For the first time in many years I feel absolutely no excitement for this team.

I'm with you for sure. Knowing we'll probably just have the same results as last year or just one and done in the playoffs doesn't excite me too much.

Also, the fact that the team seems to be tanking at the time they are supposed to be coming together is not so encouraging.

 

[jbeecham]

We had the toughest December schedule that we've probably ever had in the history of the franchise so it's no surprise the team is 10-15 in our last 25 games. Seems like that month has destroyed the team's confidence and put them in a funk.

I think they can still turn it around and be a playoff team again... it's just going to take a few convincing wins and hopefully that starts tonight against New Jersey. If we can't beat them, then something needs to happen to shake up this team to get them playing like winners again, instead of playing not to lose.

 

[Chaplin]

Personally, I don't mind starting Robin Lopez. But starting Barbosa doesn't appeal much to me, because even though this board hates Jason Richardson, he's playing a lot better than LB is. Will starting LB get him out of his funk? Maybe. But I had a small issue with putting both those guys in the starting lineup at the same time. Not only do the starters have to get used to playing with Robin, they also have to get used to starting with LB as well. And guys like Amare probably aren't too good at adapting that quickly.

 

[Yuma]

I am afraid that if we don't beat the Nets, the team might get demoted to the D-League.

Maybe replace our d-League team in Reno with the Suns and vice versa. Works for me!

 

[Yuma]

Personally, I don't mind starting Robin Lopez. But starting Barbosa doesn't appeal much to me, because even though this board hates Jason Richardson, he's playing a lot better than LB is. Will starting LB get him out of his funk? Maybe. But I had a small issue with putting both those guys in the starting lineup at the same time. Not only do the starters have to get used to playing with Robin, they also have to get used to starting with LB as well. And guys like Amare probably aren't too good at adapting that quickly.

I was thinking the same thing. Barbosa IS NOT playing as well as Jrich. Too many new moving parts. There was a pass Nash threw out of bounds the other night because the rotations are changed, and people spot up in different spots.

 

[Covert Rain]

Yes, 2 games ahead of 11th place, but only 3 games behind 2nd place. Not saying we'll make 2nd place, I'm just saying these doomsday scenarios are all too premature at this point.

True but last year the Suns were in the same scenario and just 3 games was insurmountable. Remember this is not the east and with teams out West so good.......a 3 game lead in the West is like a 10 game lead in the East.

The Suns still have time but so do all the other teams in the West.

Personally, I don't mind starting Robin Lopez. But starting Barbosa doesn't appeal much to me, because even though this board hates Jason Richardson, he's playing a lot better than LB is. Will starting LB get him out of his funk? Maybe. But I had a small issue with putting both those guys in the starting lineup at the same time. Not only do the starters have to get used to playing with Robin, they also have to get used to starting with LB as well. And guys like Amare probably aren't too good at adapting that quickly.

Agreed. Barbosa just has not been the same since the injury. Something is wrong with him that the Suns are Barbosa are not saying. Barbosa should not be starting.

I am willing to try the Lopez starting thing at this point. The Suns have nothing to lose.

 

[Hat]

As much as I like Barbosa, he should not be starting. This is probably the worst season he's had so far. I bet his wrist is really hurting him, hence why he keeps bricking every shot.

 

[dodie53]

go suns!

 

[sportznutt]

no vbookie?

 

[AfroSuns]

If only the FO can make Robin cut his hair, maybe we can secretly swap brothers.

 

[slinslin]

If only the FO can make Robin cut his hair, maybe we can secretly swap brothers.

If Robin continues like that we might not wanna do that.

When was the last time we had a center producing like Robin right now, save Shaq.

I can't believe I am saying this but Robin Lopez actually gets me a little excited about the Suns again.

I like the Lopez/Amare combination if you give them another season and a half to really come together.

Or if we could trade Amare for the Lopez twin towers, mmm.

 

[Ronin]

Who's wearing the #15 jersey for the Suns

 

[Ronin]

Holy Crap Robin Lopez!

 

[lauraw]

I guess no vbookie tonite...

 

[slinslin]

20/6 from Amare and Robin combined in the first quarter. Keep feeding the big guys, we might have something good going here.

Now work in Clark in the frontcourt and suddenly we have a pretty athletic frontcourt of 6'10, 6'10 and 7'.

 

[Ronin]

Nets go on a run while the Suns don't have Nash out there on the floor.

 

[slinslin]

Think more like Robin and Amare not on the floor, they can't get any high percentage shots. Nash turned it over right away after coming back.